After a moment, he inquired, "What's your plan now?"

He nodded subtly towards the upper floor.

"He's back. Are you planning to push him away?"

Alexis tapped his head playfully in response, her smile faint.

"You're worrying too much, Edwin. The world doesn't offer many chances to mend broken relationships."

Edwin returned her smile gently, choosing not to probe further.

Upstairs, Leonel stood frozen, his fingers tightly gripping the railing, turning white from the strain.

He overheard Alexis' comment about the rarity of mending broken relationships, her tone tinged with indifference.

The feeling in Leonel's heart was indescribable. Once in his room, he leaned heavily against the door. He contemplated returning to Acoiclya in a few days, to return to their previous dynamic.

As polite, courteous family members, they could assist each other during difficulties but not as lovers.

This would bring ease to everyone.

After their breakup, Alexis had made no attempts to win him back.

He knew there had been a time when she awaited his regret and return, believing he would eventually come back to their shared home.

But he never did, not through all those years.

Her decision to move on was understandable.

Now, he questioned his right to feel upset.

Preparing to pack for Acoiclya, Leonel felt an unbearable ache in his heart.

Memories of his traumatic childhood, witnessing his mother's tragic end, weighed heavily on him.

He had learned to live with repression.

To Leonel, Alexis had been a beacon of light in his life, but its intensity had once seemed too glaring, prompting him to shut it out.